Porfle's Trivia Quiz #10: "PSYCHO" (1960) (video)

"The Numbers Game"

Question #1: How much does Marion (Janet Leigh) pay for a used car?

Question #2: How much does Marion steal from her employer?

Question #3: How many cabins are there at Bates Motel?


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Porfle's Trivia Quiz #10: "PSYCHO" (1960) (video)

From Soundstage to Location In One Seamless Shot ("Frenzy", 1972) (video)

"Come into my parlor, said the spider to the fly."

The killer lures his victim.
Hitchcock wisely backs away, leaving the rest to our imaginations.
The effect is eerie.

The shot begins with a studio interior.
A passing figure hides the transition between studio interior and location exterior.

Just another one of Hitchcock's wonderful little cinematic sleight-of-hand tricks.


Suggested by Epsteinisms #

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From Soundstage to Location In One Seamless Shot ("Frenzy", 1972) (video)

"Psycho" Musical Homage In "Star Wars: A New Hope" (video)

Bernard Herrmann ended his classic score for "Psycho" (1960) with three chilling notes.

In 1976, he used the same three-note motif in his score for "Taxi Driver."

And one year later, it turned up in an unlikely place--"Star Wars: A New Hope."

Film editor Paul Hirsch used it as part of the "Star Wars" temp track...

...and "Star Wars" composer John Williams left it in.

(possible spoilers)


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"Psycho" Musical Homage In "Star Wars: A New Hope" (video)

Was Ted Baxter (Ted Knight) In "Psycho"? (video)

Most of us fondly remember Ted Knight as "Ted Baxter"...

...on the classic sitcom "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."

But not everyone knows Ted is in Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho."

Of course, he doesn't show up until almost the end.

But if you look fast, you'll see...

Ted!


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!

Was Ted Baxter (Ted Knight) In "Psycho"? (video)

How Did Alfred Hitchcock Do A Cameo In "Rope"? (1948) (video)

Legendary director Alfred Hitchcock is known for his brief cameo appearances.

Fans of his films began to look for these cameos in each new film.
But his 1948 film ROPE takes place in one room with a limited cast.

So how did Hitchcock manage his usual cameo?

Some say that's Hitchcock in that post-titles shot from the balcony...
...but it's still up for debate.

To see his most-recognized cameo...
...watch the red neon sign outside the window.

It's the trademark profile of Alfred Hitchcock.


(Suggested by Kay Miles)

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How Did Alfred Hitchcock Do A Cameo In "Rope"? (1948) (video)

How Did Alfred Hitchcock Do A Cameo In "Lifeboat"? (1944) (video)

Alfred Hitchcock was famous for his brief cameos appearances.

Before long, viewers began trying to spot him in each of his films.

But "Lifeboat" took place in one tiny location with a limited cast.

So how did Hitchcock manage to make a cameo appearance in it?

Here's how...


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!

How Did Alfred Hitchcock Do A Cameo In "Lifeboat"? (1944) (video)

Thrilling Mine Shaft Rescue In Hitchcock's "Young And Innocent" (1937) (video)

Alfred Hitchcock relied completely upon practical effects...

...to create this nail-biting scene which rivals Indiana Jones.

It remains one of Hitchcock's most suspenseful scenes ever.


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!

Thrilling Mine Shaft Rescue In Hitchcock's "Young And Innocent" (1937) (video)

Stunning Miniatures In Hitchcock's "Young And Innocent" (1937) (video)

Alfred Hitchcock always favored a bold use of special effects in his films.

This one features some of his most interesting model work.

Not always strictly realistic, but definitely fun.


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Stunning Miniatures In Hitchcock's "Young And Innocent" (1937) (video)

Magic Door Trick In Alfred Hitchcock's "STAGE FRIGHT" (1950) (video)

Marlene Dietrich enlists Richard Todd's help...with ulterior motives.

He rushes to her house and through the front door.

When he closes it, light turns to dark and street noises are muffled.

Except...he doesn't close it.

Todd mimes closing the door. The lighting and sound design do the rest.

And that's the magic front door trick.


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!
Suggested by Epsteinisms #

Magic Door Trick In Alfred Hitchcock's "STAGE FRIGHT" (1950) (video)

"Psycho" (1960): Norman's Chilling Scream ("I'm Norma Bates!") (video)

(spoilers)

If you've seen "Psycho", you know what happens in the fruit cellar.

But have you really heard Norman's scary scream?

When Sam Loomis grabs him from behind, Norman shrieks...

"I'M--NORMA--BATES!"

It's a seriously chilling moment.


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"Psycho" (1960): Norman's Chilling Scream ("I'm Norma Bates!") (video)

"Psycho" (1960): Arbogast Goes Down The Stairs Backwards (video)

(spoilers)

Hitchcock gives us dogged detective Arbogast (Martin Balsam)…

...who, we think, will get to the bottom of the missing person case.

Norman (Anthony Perkins) denies him access to Mother, but he returns.
Arbogast enters the Bates house, intent on questioning Mother.

As he creeps up the stairs to her room...
...we wonder what he will find, and how the interview will go.

But Mother renders it a moot point.

Hitchcock makes Arbogast's backward descent dizzying, disorienting...
...by filming him flailing his arms in front of a process screen.


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"Psycho" (1960): Arbogast Goes Down The Stairs Backwards (video)

Magic Door Trick At The End Of "The Birds" (Hitchcock, 1963) (video)

Mitch and his mother help the traumatized Melanie to the front door.

The foyer is dark.  Mitch opens the door, illuminating the three figures.

Except...there's no door.

Rod Taylor mimes opening a door.  The lighting does the rest.

And that's the magic front door trick.


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!

Magic Door Trick At The End Of "The Birds" (Hitchcock, 1963) (video)

Hokey Hitchcock #2: Gun Hand From "Spellbound" (1945) (video)

Hitchcock's visual inventiveness was often a step ahead...

...of the FX technology needed to convincingly render it.

Sometimes even Hitchcock's most imaginative ideas...

...looked less than convincing in actual execution.

(spoilers)


Suggested by Paul Sanchez

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Hokey Hitchcock #2: Gun Hand From "Spellbound" (1945) (video)

Hokey Hitchcock: Diner Scene From "The Birds" (1963) (video)

Alfred Hitchcock's editing choices were often brilliantly inventive.

But sometimes they didn't work quite as well as he envisioned...

...as in this brief moment from "The Birds."


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!

Hokey Hitchcock: Diner Scene From "The Birds" (1963) (video)